Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images) and John Tavares of the New York Islanders. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images) and John Tavares of the New York Islanders. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

CHICAGO (CBSNewYork/AP) — A strong finish to the 2012-13 NHL season earned Alexander Ovechkin his third Hart Trophy, given to the NHL’s most valuable player.

“It was kind of hard, but as everybody knows, I like challenges,” Ovechkin, who was moved to the right wing this season, said in taped remarks. “It was a big challenge for me and the coaching staff, but we make it.”